Wandering around this native flora wonderland, I dimwittedly asked, “So are you guys new?”.

Nope.

The Yelverton Protea Farm has been around, flourishing and providing your local florists with the most perfect and unique of blooms for over twenty years. The hordes of us who have made that road trip to Margaret River have unknowingly driven past this farm which is nestled between Busselton and Cowaramup on Bussell Highway. If you’re heading south and find yourself driving down roads populated by brightly painted cow statues, you’ve gone too far.

We couldn’t resist taking home a couple of King Protea and Red Carnival seedlings, in the hope that these gorgeous natives will someday yield beautiful flowers in my own backyard.

This charming venue is also available for weddings and events so do come and see for yourself!

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Attending a wedding of someone precious to you is always an absolute delight. I particularly love to study the faces of family members, almost living vicariously and feeling lifted by the emotions so clearly written in their expressions.

Noted here. A mother’s tender but intensely proud and protective stance, beaming with happiness over her daughter, the bride. The bride, a grown woman but forever a daughter, bowed in love and ultimate respect.

The hands and richly embroidered garments of three women. Mother-in-law, bride and her mother. White, universally symbolic of pureness of heart and devotion. Hands dipped and decorated to reflect the deep religious and cultural traditions that ceremonialise this marriage. They are dyed with the runes of blessings.

A groom, finally allowed to see his beloved on this special day. He bends down to kiss her gently on the forehead, face cupped exquisitely in his hands.

This look started with the shoes. I went into Zomp looking for black flatform sandals but came out with these killer Senso ones. I mean, a silver heel? Who wouldn’t!?!? But they just stuck out of my existing wardrobe like a sore thumb. Interestingly, all the other components of this outfit are also complete impulse buys that are out of keeping with my usual aesthetic, but somehow they match each other perfectly! This look may grown on me yet.

Chinese New Year 2014 was an entirely new experience for me! Being born and raised in Perth, Western Australia, Chinese New Year never quite features on the list of publicly celebrated holidays! Oh, we do celebrate it with much eating of steamboat and handing out of ang pao (red money packets) but it’s all very much a family affair.

Walking around Singapore during the week before Chinese New Year, there is no denying the excitement and festive feeling in the air – literally! Everywhere you go your senses are bombarded. Rows upon rows of bright red decorations promise prosperity and good luck for the year to come. Shopping centre stereos blare “Dong dong dong chiang! Gong xi ni! Gong xi fa cai!” (Congratulations, happy new year!). People rush around making sure that their houses are filled to overflowing with food and special symbolic items such as oranges and mandarins for abundance and good fortune, and gourds for good health and prosperity. Preparations must all be made ready in time for the first day of New Year as it is believed that the state of your household at the start of the year reflects your fortunes to be in the upcoming year. And Chinese people wholeheartedly believe that more is more!

Singapore goes into a heady and happy furore in the lead up to Chinese New Year Eve and celebrates the big night with a citywide party! Then, the city that never slows down becomes peculiarly quiet as people spend the following days visiting their family and neighbours, a time where there is no greater priority than connecting with each other. If only there were more days like these.

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Come check out our feature on the ONA blog! We were absolutely thrilled to be approached by ONA as we are already super mega fans of their amazing camera bags. The article showcases some of our all-time favourite photos and a bit about us and our little blog.

To find out more about their products, head over to their site and be sure to watch our review about the lovely Palma bag I’m carrying.